A FAST Guide to Slowing Down, Sedona Style

Interview Series: Scarlet Mann

Scarlet Mann, a fashion and fine art Los Angeles-based photographer, is a self-proclaimed dreamer who thrives off of mother nature and has a deliciously feminine creative eye. Her influence as a fashion photographer spills into her fine art photographs and vice versa – the dynamic beauty of a versatile artist. Currently, she is preparing for the latest installment of the ongoing series she is a part of entitled “LA Odyssey.”

CONTEMPLATION OF MORTALITY, SEASIDE WILDERNESS, VENTURA -Scarlet Mann

This Thursday, November 13th, Mann will be debuting her latest line of collaborative work with Lily Flores and Serge Gil under the theme of “Reverie.” She was kind enough to take a few minutes to fill us in on the wonders of a collaborative art show, her creative process, and her most recent grand adventure. Be sure to swing by the show located at Bruce Lurie Gallery this Thursday to experience “LA Odyssey” – see you there!

STATE OF AFFAIRS, WINDMILLS, PALM SPRINGS – Serge Gil

Q&A

LF: You’re a part of the ongoing series “LA Odyssey”, shot with partners Lily Flores and Serge Gil. The latest installment, “Reverie”, is highly anticipated. Can you give our readers an introduction to the “Reverie” theme of the show?

SM: A reverie is a fanciful or impractical idea or theory – it is being lost in a dreamy or musing state of mind. Throughout my life, I’ve found that I was always happiest and thriving when in this state of mind. When I have a dream, I am excited … I lust, I want, I am alive. The joy of life lies in that precious little pocket of space and time in existence when a dream is alive and real. This exhibition for me is a celebration of that concept. To quote 2Pac, “Reality is false and dreams are for real”.

LF: How do you approach your work? What is your creative process?

SM: A good way to gain perspective into how we work is by referencing a music collaboration. Imagine the three of us as vocalists telling the sound engineer that we want to sound as one. Then during the performance we split into harmonies. LA Odyssey is perceived as a unified voice, however, we still find a way for each of one us to exist individually within the collaboration.

THE ROAD TO NOWHERE, PALM SPRINGS – Serge Gil

LF: Top three inspirations?

SM: The ocean, dreams, and the unknown.

LF: Toxicity is a prevalent theme in your work for this series, something you noted in your bio for “LA Odyssey.” Would you say there is an outlet of inspiration under the umbrella of toxicity? And couldn’t said outlet thus be a getaway from the toxicity that feels especially prevalent at times in Los Angeles?

SM: Absolutely. I specifically make use of gas masks to render this concept. Even metaphorically toxic, this city has a dark side. If you aren’t careful, it can consume your soul. I mean – the drugs, the alcohol, competing in vain for social hierarchy, attaining that pseudo happiness by way of materialism and shrewd mannerisms. I feel it’s important to gain perspective and stay grounded.

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER, OXNARD -Lily Flores

LF: How does nature impact your creative eye? How does a lack of nature impact your creative eye?

SM: Nature is everything to me. It’s my recharging station from the city’s b.s.

CITY OF VICE, VICEROY HOTEL, SANTA MONICA – Scarlet Mann

LF: When was the last time you felt overwhelmed with gratitude?

SM: When Juliette Lewis came on board for hosting the show – I couldn’t think of a better host. She’s the poster child of non-conformity with her cult classic films and powerful personality.

LF: Your favorite vice?

SM: The lust for the unknown.

FIRE AND WATER, DWP, DOWNTOWN LA – Lily Flores

LF: The last great adventure you embarked upon?

SM: My husband and I took a month off in the summer and lived out of our Eurovan with our boys, Ryder and Penn. We drove North alongside the ocean, exploring campsites through the heavenly Oregon coastline and all the way to Seattle.

LF: How fast do you live?

SM: Fast enough to stay one step ahead of my demons and slow enough to keep that fire alive inside that I get while chasing a dream.